The Pensive Mama

Samantha McKeag is a mommy, wife, volunteer coordinator, freelance writer, and author. With a 6-year-old and multiple businesses, as well as a full time job, her daily struggles to be a good mom, a good wife, a good employee, a productive member of her community, and an entrepreneur can make for some pretty tough days, but she wouldn't trade it for the world! Samantha's biggest joy, however, is sharing her hurdles, struggles, and triumphs with other mommies and wives who may be able to benefit from her experiences. She enjoys connecting with her local community and finding different ways to help those around her.

The Pensive Mama's Latest Posts

PEDALHEADS: Bike Camp From Training Wheels to Trails #REVIEW My son is an avid biker and just love his bike. Well, anything with wheels is his jam, really, and anything to do with sports. He is, what I call, a cautious risk-taker, calculating and analyzing the risk before taking it. I made a point of […]

The Ottawa Children’s Festival is an event Ottawa families wait all year for and in it’s 33rd year, this year was no different; except that this year I was offered an opportunity to see a performance I may not have otherwise seen – and it was exceptional! I was asked by Ottawa Mommy Club to […]

Kidslox: The Parental Control App Kids HATE – The Peace of Mind Parents LOVE Before doing this review, I was not “with it” when it came to app blockers and parental control app. My son, who is 6, is generally pretty limited on what he does on his tablet – by his own choosing. He […]

Canvas Factory Helps Feed a Mother’s Obsession As a mother, I am completely obsessed with pictures. I love capturing that perfect moment to remember forever. Unfortunately, though, these days it’s easier to take pictures than it is to print pictures. I mean, 15 years ago, printing wasn’t easy, but at least you only had […]

When It’s Time To Buy A House, Do You Buy New Or “Used”? Buying a house can be terrifying. Buying a house in Ottawa is even more terrifying, for many reasons. There are so many questions to answer: should you save up every single penny you have to get a 20% down payment? If you don’t […]

Imagine a place where the musky scent of fresh-burning logs forever fills your senses; where the notes of nostalgia envelope you like an old friend, where the air is crisp and invigorating. Imagine a place that is surrounded by snow-capped hills and lush, green mountains; a place that brings you warmth even when it’s cold. […]

DISCLAIMER: This article is not blaming the teachers – it is an article about my opinion with the way things are done in schools and perhaps a fault in our curriculum. Learning Expectations: Preemptive or Premature? Homework and Expectations in Elementary School I got a letter from my son’s teacher this morning, here’s what […]

Mama Beans Chewelry: The Jewelry You Chew On For those of you who have not yet heard of the “Chewelry” invention, you’re either living under a rock or you don’t have kids. Chewely, or rather, “jewelry you chew on,” is a rather new concept, but it’s not what I initially thought it was. […]

Breast Isn’t Always Best: A Breastfeeding Failure Breastfeeding: Nature’s way of making you feel like a maternal failure. Since the dawn of time, women have produced life-sustaining nourishment for their babies. This nourishment helps a baby grow, creates a bond between mother and baby, alleviates financial stressors, and is said to have […]